43 comments:

1. I'm not voting against the Bears for a while. The Ravens can make their case for #2 tonight. Otherwise, yeah, the Colts. Good teams do occasionally struggle or mail one in, the great teams overcome that lethargy.

2. Yeah, that could be a couple of games. I wonder if he'll own up to it, at least, like Haynesworth, and NOT do the usual knee-jerk appeal. (Oh wait, that's BASEBALL)

3. Piniella as fire-lighter does seem like the better way to go at this point. But would a team of extremely highly paid players respond to that? Lou's best fits were in Cincy and Seattle, good teams where his personality could make a difference.

4. Detroit would seem like they might have to overcome a letdown of beating the Yankees, especially since it's their first postseason. I trust Leyland to get them level-headed. But Oakland's no slouch. I think the Mets may just juggernaut their way through the NLCS, so I'd put them in the spot, at least, of heaviest favorite of the four. (On paper, or on a computer screen, of course, is no guarantee of squat.)

5. Slight edge to Florida over Michigan (gut feeling only, not sure it would show up on the field that way), and USC fourth or fifth.

1) Bears are the best, period. 156-36 over their 5-0 start, and with their upcoming schedule, it looks like they're going to be 8-0 and outscore opponents 280-50.

2) He'll likely get a 1-game suspension, but I'd like to see 3 games. He could have easily broken Larry Johnson's neck, that's why the facemask penalty is so uptight that you get flagged for accidentally touching it at times.

3) Mark my words. The Yankees will get completely out of hand if Piniella manages the team. He's a maniac.

1. Has the Super Bowl been played yet? Ok.2. Didn't see it, can't comment.3. Torre. I don't think Pinella would be good for a team of business-like pros like the Yankees currently are. Plus, they need pitching more than anything. How's Lou's slider?4. AL - Oakland, due to HFA--this should be a fun series. NL - New York, O-ffense. (But I'm not giving up the Cards' chances yet.)5. Michigan, Florida, ...USC.

1. I would agree that the Bears are the best team now. The Colts slide in at #2 (This however could change tonight if the Ravens win big in Denver)

2. I going to say he gets a one game suspension. Yes it looked intentional, but face masks do happen.

5. I ranked Michigan ahead of Flordia based on convincing wins. However both teams will get to make thier shot for being in the championship game,Michigan at OSU and Flordia in the SEC championship game. Michigan, Flordia and then USC (Begrudgingly)

1) Yessir, but whoever thought that Rex Grossman sentence would exist? Although, I have trouble caring about the NFL, I don't get everyone's deal with it.

2) Haven't seen it. But, what do they do to those guys with the horse-collar tackles? If it was bad, sounds like it should be in line with the penalty for those. After all, Roy Williams alone has caused 20-25 missed games by HCT'ing.According to Wikipedia, you get a 15-yard penalty and a possible league-imposed fine for this. So I guess, either Rolle gets that, or they need to bump up the Horse-Collar penalty.

3) That team needs somethin'. I don't know much about Lou, but I feel like it is time for Joe to go. How can everybody in that clubhouse even look at each other, after the last couple years? Steinbrenner cries all winter, everybody's a choker, and Joe doesn't have any answers for them.If it weren't for Jim Leyland, I would ask what a manager's good for anyway, but after the season I've seen, I know better.

4) Hells, yes, Dan. The Tigers' pitchers, now that they have tapered their way into the postseason, don't need nearly as much help as the bats, which I saw come alive this Friday and Saturday (after 2 months of rest), will provide. Oh, and the Tigers won more on the road. Not worried about spending more time in Oaktown.

And sure. The Mets will just keep hitting until they cover their cobbled-together rotation.

5) I'll grant your answer, even if I don't entirely agree. And yet, the fans and pollsters and computers ought to take something into consideration - history, Dan. Considering the fact that OSU and Michigan will be playing for #1 in November, why not make them #1 and #2, for the greatest Game of the Century ever?

The greatest sports rivalry ever (I'm ignoring any dissenters), one of the few meaningful (read: not in September between last year's national champions and another BCS bowl winner) #1 vs. #2 games ever played, with a national-title-game berth on the line? I'd spend another semester in school for that.

I think I was the only one here who did not buy into the LSU/Auburn game as a battle of titans. I'm glad this past weekend helped my case. Florida is definitely Top 5, but LSU and Auburn aren't impressive, imo, so I'm not hopping Florida over UM yet.

1. Yeah, Bears works for me. Colts are #2. Remember that they struggled the first few weeks last year too.

2. I say 3 games.

3. I'd go with Girardi. Oh wait...we only have those two? Well, this is a no-brainer. I'll leave it alone.

4. Detroit vs. Mets

5. Now THIS is unfair. You left out a bunch of undefeated teams. And I'd argue that an undefeated team should go to the title game over a one-loss team. My top 9 looks like this:1. USC (I know it's Inertia but thats as stupid a reason as guessing who would win a hypothetical game)2. Ohio State (Inertia from last year)3. West Virginia (Ditto)4. Florida5. Michigan6. Louisville (Obviously Either Michigan or Ohio State and either Louisville or WVU automatically get knocked off later. Also, USC still has to get through Cal, Oregon and ND while Florida has to go through their hell schedule. At the end, I'm guessing Louisville/WVU and Michigan/Ohio State will be undefeated at the end to go to Arizona.)7. Boise State8. Missouri9. Rutgers

Interesting thoughts that I hadn't even allowed to enter my mind yet. If Florida's schedule is really so tough, they have a great chance of dropping one, while Louisville is winning out for sure. And USC is so weak, they have no shot at running the table, if even one of those teams decides not to roll over for them. I have no doubt that USC doesn't belong in the Top 3.

So those crazy Cardinals will be going to... Glendale, apparently. To play in Cardinals Stadium (ok, UofP Stadium now), no less! And there's a frickin' Cardinal for the foolish Big Ten Champions to stomp on at midfield. I can't handle it.

I don't know how 2-6 weeks became "the rest of the season," but I do know that Michigan has plenty of weapons left, even if my favorite is out of commission for a little while. Arrington seems to be catching touchdowns quite ably, and Mike Hart is still running around the Metrodome.

I just hope Mario is ready to kick ass in Columbus (seems like a bad idea to try to make him play vs. Iowa).

Dammit. When did this happen, anyway? What did Sparty do to #86? I feel so guilty that I was at Comerica Park, I should've been there. Damn, damn, damn.

FLA, USC, Michigan - Hate to bust the Manningham boys' bubbles but you guys are getting a little ahead of yourself. Be happy that people are considering you in the discussion at #2. But really, compared to FLA and SC, you boys have been just takin care of business over teams you should be beating. Other than an obviously overrated Irish team, you guys haven't beaten ranked teams like USC and FLA. ..And don't even try to come at me with homerism talk as I'm a VOL fan and hate the Gators.

Before you jump on me, take note I do think Michigan is playing great and should continue winning until their match-up with OSU. I just think everyone should relax with the poll tak until Nov or at least until the BCS poll comes out.

1. Da Bears are playing the best football in the NFL right now. It's hard to find any weakness on that team - even the 14 year-old Robbie Gould (seriously, have you seen that guy - talk about 'carded for life', he would look young at a high school prom) hasn't missed a kick ('officially', but one in the BUF game was awfully close).

2. Am I the only one that didn't think the Rolle play was intentional? Even when they kept showing the replies I didn't think it was that bad, certainly nothing like the Haynesworth incident. Maybe a fine at best, IMO.

Apparently, Manningham has a torn meniscus. Assuming it's not a major tear, this requires arthroscopic surgery. Basically, the torn piece prevents the knee joint from moving properly, so you "scope" it out of there. The typical weekend warrior needs 4-8 weeks of recovery time before resuming sports. I'm going to assume that Super Mario is not your typical person and will be back for the OSU game. I also was told by a Buckeye fan that Mo Clarett tore his meniscus in 2002 and only missed 2 games.Still lots of assumptions, though...

Apparently, Manningham has a torn meniscus. Assuming it's not a major tear, this requires arthroscopic surgery. Basically, the torn piece prevents the knee joint from moving properly, so you "scope" it out of there. The typical weekend warrior needs 4-8 weeks of recovery time before resuming sports. I'm going to assume that Super Mario is not your typical person and will be back for the OSU game. I also was told by a Buckeye fan that Mo Clarett tore his meniscus in 2002 and only missed 2 games.Still lots of assumptions, though...

Apparently, Manningham has a torn meniscus. Assuming it's not a major tear, this requires arthroscopic surgery. Basically, the torn piece prevents the knee joint from moving properly, so you "scope" it out of there. The typical weekend warrior needs 4-8 weeks of recovery time before resuming sports. I'm going to assume that Super Mario is not your typical person and will be back for the OSU game. I also was told by a Buckeye fan that Mo Clarett tore his meniscus in 2002 and only missed 2 games.Still lots of assumptions, though...

You'll be hard-pressed to find me struggling with vocabulary often, but I have little choice but to call you a fucking idiot.

Compared to USC, Michigan has only been taking care of business against teams we should beat?

If you were talking about, say, Louisville or something, I would see where you were going with this. But have you missed the whole boat on the whole USC-just-barely-beat-Washington-at-home story, hot on the heels of the USC-had-trouble-with-WSU one?

USC is a joke.

And Florida hasn't blown away any great competition either. I watched the last drive against your Vols. Gritty. But not dominant. Not undeniable. I kept tabs on the Alabama game. I was worried about UF (my good buddy's a Gator) for about, what, 3.5 quarters? I've said it before, and I'll say it again - I'm not at all convinced by LSU; if they end up with 5 losses, let's just say I won't be too surprised. UF sure did beat them though. But UM has beaten a lot of teams pretty soundly - including ND, on the road (I think ND and Tennessee are pretty even, actually).

I'm sorry if you're still mad about Peyton's Heisman (he wins the NFL game, so I'd say he got a fine deal), but I'm not gonna let you get away with spouting complete bullshit irrational arguments.

1. Right now the bears are the best team, yes. At this time last year the Colts were, how'd that work out?

2. If you are going to suspend players for facemasks then what about chopblocks? Late hits out of bounds? Helmet to helmet on the QB? This is the NFL, not NFL flag football. All I hear on ESPN is that football is about heart and wanting it more and effort. Do you want to castrate the play of the NFL by making defenders play 2 hand touch? Did you see Troy P's hit on LT last night? Looked a little dirty, but that's the NFL. Hit them in the wallet, don't take away PT for going "too hard".

3. If you want to go younger with more energy for the Yanks, then hire Girardi. If the club wasn't fired up for Joe in game 3 as is being reported on the WWL, then how is Sweet Lou going to fix that? Have you heard him do play by play? It makes me fall asleep. 4 rings every 10 years is fine by me, and I'm sure every other team out there would take winning their division every year. If you want to fire Torre, then La Russa should be gone if the Cards don't win it all this year.

4. Best positioned? Tigers/Mets. Who will probably win? A's/Mets (if just so Dan can shower us all with told you so's :) )

do they even call the horse collar? I've seen it a few times in front of the refs and nothing came of it.

richard, I have to disagree. As a Bucks fan USC doesn't scare me. I can't wait to play them in the home and home coming up. Florida intrigues me, but I'd love to see Florida play OSU or MICH @ our stadiums in late november. good luck with that. Michigan is the only team out there that scares me. Rutgers? Boise St? wow.

john@thewhore, you are a refreshing voice of reason on these boards even though we are sometimes at odds. Just wanted you to know that sweetie.

No, I didn't think it was intentional either, but I also admit to being a Cardinals homer, so I'm biased. I just didn't see it like he was trying to grab his face mask, let alone twist it. It looked to me like he was trying to wrap him up when LJ went down, so he get helmet mostly. And yes, I have LJ on one of my fantasy teams too. Can't we all just get along?

How much mileage is Michigan going to get out of beating an overrated ND team that will (probably) make a BCS bowl despite not beating a SINGLE ranked team? This is the same ND team that nearly lost to Michigan State, and has beaten up on a crappy PSU team, and the defensively challenged Stanford and Purdue squads. Meanwhile, Florida has wins over a Tennessee team that destroyed Cal and will probably finish 11-1, and an LSU team that lost to two good SEC opponents. And you know how I know these teams are good? NFL talent up and down the rosters at UT, LSU and Auburn.

Finally, let's just look at last Saturday: Michigan beats an MSU team that may not win a Big 10 game this year. Florida beats a LSU team that will likely go 10-2 and put a bunch of guys in the NFL draft come April.

I will even concede that Michigan is playing slightly better ball, but Florida has done more to earn that #2 ranking. And USC doesn't even belong in the conversation.

1) Yes, Chicago is tops. You could argue for a few teams at #2 (Indy, San Diego, maybe Baltimore still) but my pick is Denver, IF they can get that offense to kick it up a notch, which i think they can.

2) 4 games. The NFL has to send a message about sportsmanship, and so far Goodell has sent a few strong messages...

3) Torre. I think that the whole judging the Yankees on a "championship standard" is crap. Why do we make the Yankees out to be so special. Torre is not the GM who has run out of / failed to develop and keep minor league talent. That's the real problem, is that the Yankees keep having to trade for/buy established talent, not the management of the players. Torre's record speaks for itself, any other franchise and there wouldnt even be a discussion.

4) Tigers, even though Oakland was impressive in taking down the Twins and all their momentum.Mets, because even if I'm pitching, they're still gonna be in the game

1) The bears are about as solid as an NFL team can get. I wouls have to say the chargers are number two. Rivers looked pretty good last night. i would have liked to have seen LT get more yards but mostly it is because he is on my fantasy team.

2) Haven't seen it so dont have an opinion.

3)I hate the yankees so seeing how lou sucked in st pete I say let him ruin that team.

4) Detroit has some of the best pitching I can remember. Not quite as good starting as the braves of the mid 90's but better from the bullpen. In the NL I want to say the mets but I think all their injuries might catch up to them this round So I have to go with the cards.

5) Id have to say OSU, UF, UM. If the gators could just start playing good at the start of the game and not only in the second half they would be a lock for number one in my book.

Homer John,I think you need to relax, buddy. I was just sayin that I believe USC has beaten more quality teams thus far than Michigan. I'm not saying they will be there at the end of the year but as of right now, they have been takin care of business (a W is a W). They are hardly a joke but my real point was that Michigan is a solid top 5 team but FLA has a little more bragging rights to be #2 (AT THIS MOMENT). Wait till your boys play OSU and then brag how they should be at the top.

...actually none of this talk matters as everyone should just wait till November before any of us care this much about polls. Period.

USC beat a Nebraska team that still isn't all the way back, and an Arkansas team that didn't have McFadden and wasn't starting Mustain. I think Michigan gets the nod for the tougher conference. Of course, we'll see how SC fares against Cal, Oregon and Notre Dame (hard to type that with a straight face).

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